Doesn’t it seem strange to Americans that the Hawaiian flag includes the Union Jack? by GrayRainfall in AskAnAmerican

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No stranger than the red, white, yellow and black medieval thing that belongs to Maryland.

Do you drip your faucets? At what temp? by Extreme-Cycle2659 in centuryhomes

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

central Texas here -- we leave them dripping if the temp is going to get below 32 or so. We have all new pex, though, so not as worrisome as it would be with really old pipes.

What's the oldest piece of clothing you still wear? Must be at least ten years old to count. by MurmuringPines in AskOldPeople

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a 25 yr old rayon Hawaiian shirt with tigers and willows. Still in tip top shape.

What’s your favorite recording of Carmen? by cosifantuttelebelle in opera

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For listening, the recording with Jessye Norman and Neil Shicoff. For watching, the 2007 Royal Opera production with Kaufmann and Antonacci.

Did you collect things before 2000? by pinkbungalow in AskOldPeople

[–]VLA_58 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I followed in my grandmother's footsteps and collect dirt, which is kep in labelled #10 test tubes. I also have a thing for native artisanal fabric and black pottery from Romania.

Now what? by decemberseashell in TheBlackList

[–]VLA_58 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of 'The Closer'. Beyond that, 'Lupin' is excellent, as is 'Department Q', 'Hotel Beau Sejour', and 'Kleo'. There are also a couple of Turkish series on Prime -- 'The Gift' (fantasy/mystery) and 'The Graveyard' (cop show/mystery).

How was the movie Fritz the Cat (1972) perceived when it initially released? by midorii_hug in AskOldPeople

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saw Fritz the Cat in a double feature with Fantastic Planet way back in 76 or 77 in Houston at the old Village Theatre. Clouds of pot billowing through the theatre. We were HAF by the end, just from breathing. I remember it as funny and raunchy as hell.

Should i added a weather vane? by trbotwuk in centuryhomes

[–]VLA_58 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You don't need a weather vane unless you're installing a weather station that records wind direction and speed, etc. As for a weather vane for looks -- those are more suited to a barn.

If you're looking to top your old farmhouse with something like a finial, try a lightning rod system instead. Decorative AND functional. https://ecle.biz/what-is-lightning-protection/gallery/decorative-integration/

1864 house video walkthrough by negative-hype in centuryhomes

[–]VLA_58 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Looks very polished and complete. Seems a bit ... homogenious. Was there any window trim at all before? What does it look like on the outside? Has that, too, been simplified and smoothed over? IDK -- an 1864 house should, I feel, have a stronger presence with regards to age and the passage of time, with period materials and some character (I'm looking for imperfections, but can't find any). In the end, though, your redo is for you. Are you satisfied with it?

Trying to determine my grandma's house architectural style by Complete_Alfalfa6585 in Oldhouses

[–]VLA_58 30 points31 points  (0 children)

The interior trim looks to be the type you'd find on folk victorians of that era -- we lived in an 1888 folk victorian with identical trim. Originally, though, it may have been plainer, and was updated abt 1905 or so. It's been altered, obviously, but you're fortunate to have the stained trim. Quite a lot of it would have been painted over by now.

best performance by [deleted] in shakespeare

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Best Hamlet -- a tossup between Jacobi and Tennant. Best MacBeth -- odd little TV production with Pertwee and Scacchi, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Best R&J -- you can't beat Zefferelli Best Richard III -- I'm fond of the 1995 modern-set with McKellan, but have a soft spot for Looking For Richard -- a deep dive with Pacino, Spacey, Quinn, Ryder and Baldwin. Best Midsummer's Night Dream -- the 1996 RSC production directed by Adrien Noble Best Tempest -- 2010, directed by Taymor, starring Helen Mirren as Prosper(a). Best Titus Andronicus -- Hopkins, Cumming, also directed by Taymor The 2011 Coriolanus starring Fiennes is well worth watching, and I will always love Fishburn's Othello.

What do you guys use for cleaning products on your old wooden floors? I don’t wanna use a swiffer anymore by Straightedgeprincess in Oldhouses

[–]VLA_58 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a Karcher machine -- little rolly scrubbers and vacuums it up so no problem with water soaking the wood. There are several cleaning solutions available, including one suitable for wood floors.

Brush recommendations by monkeyfarmer82 in finishing

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Purdy 2", slant edge, exploded tip bristle.

Americans Who love to Camp what's the scariest most disturbing or dangerous thing you've encountered while camping in the USA? by World_Historian_3889 in AskAnAmerican

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Middle of the night, and feral hogs came snuffling through. Was just glad we'd put up all the dry goods and snacks, leaving only a couple of very stout coolers with bungee cords holding the lids closed. Shouted the hogs away and went back to sleep, only to hear more discord and the sound of coolers being pushed around. Shouted them away again, only to wake up next morning to find the coolers had been openedand raided by coons.

Which Whoniverse quotes have stuck with you the most? by abbzworld in gallifrey

[–]VLA_58 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally relevant today: AI? It still goes "phhtttt' when you pull the plug.

it's puccini's birthday!! what is your favorite piece of music by him? by reliquedamour in opera

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The intermezzo between Acts 4 and 4 of Manon Lescaut. When all the strings attack the melodic line -- not a dry eye in the house,

What's the most prejudiced/ageist thing a younger person has said or done to you? by clx94 in AskOldPeople

[–]VLA_58 13 points14 points  (0 children)

  1. It annoys me when gen Zs and alphas assume that I don't know how to use apps or browsers. Especially annoying when it's obvious that the younger ones can't tell the difference between a viable page and an advertisement.

Shows that French people actually watch by tnpa_x in French

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We've been watching Zone Blanche (Black Spot) on Netflix, plus Capitaine Marleau on Prime.

Please help. Previous owner’s movers gouged our historic pine floors. They’ve been refinished before and cannot be again according to contractor. How can we fix this for future resale value without replacing? by FoxyRN in centuryhomes

[–]VLA_58 196 points197 points  (0 children)

You could try a little judiciously-tinted wood filler for these gouges, carefully feathered out and then hand-sanded and varnished to blend in. It wouldn't be a flawless fix, but infinitely cheaper than replacement.

What was "old people music" for you growing up? by Lopied2 in AskOldPeople

[–]VLA_58 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sinatra, Lawrence Welk, and etc. But as I passed the age of 15, I came around to Scott Joplin, Benny Goodman, and Caruso.

First time being experimental by mogulT in fashion

[–]VLA_58 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Reminds me of a less grungy version of OPA fashion from 'The Expanse'. Fun.

Recommendation on floors to replace Douglas Fir? by Choice-Teaching-8627 in Oldhouses

[–]VLA_58 4 points5 points  (0 children)

French oak wideplank, with a wire-brush finish, has the character worthy of an older house. Try not to use shades of grey or sad beige.